Introduction
Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, has become a shining example of how communities, supported by visionary leaders, can transform challenges into opportunities. From early water conservation efforts in rural villages to large-scale groundwater recharge initiatives in the city, and finally extending to child-friendly education programs, Dewas showcases a holistic model of sustainable development.
Grassroots Success in Panapat Watershed
In 2001, under the DPAP 6th Batch (RGM) in Kannod block of Dewas district, Vibhavari, with the leadership of village women and active participation of the community, constructed several water conservation structures in the Panapat watershed. These efforts expanded irrigation and delivered remarkable results. Recognizing this achievement, Doordarshan News covered the success story and broadcast it nationwide, making Panapat a model village and an inspiring example for others.
Scaling Up: The Dewas Water Movement
Building on such grassroots successes, the Dewas district administration and volunteers launched a city-wide water movement known as the “Dewas Water Movement: A Community-Driven Model of Groundwater Recharge.” Under the guidance of Vibhavari, and with the leadership of Collector Shri Rishav Gupta, the initiative focused on enhancing groundwater levels through low-cost Rain Roof Water Harvesting (RWH) systems, recharge pits, and other techniques.
The campaign mobilized industries, warehouses, government and private buildings, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, and households to conserve rainwater. Remarkably, without any government funding, 700–800 water structures were built with strong community participation, leading to the conservation of nearly 22.5 billion liters of groundwater.
Education and WASH: Building Healthier Futures
While water security remained central, Vibhavari also recognized that true community well-being includes children’s education and health. To address this, holistic WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programs were implemented across 52 districts of Sehore, Madhya Pradesh. These programs combined infrastructure development—such as toilets, handwash units, solar pumps, and rainwater harvesting with training for teachers, School Management Committees (SMCs), MDM workers, and child cabinets.
The impact was remarkable :
In 2017–18, 17 of 23 schools received the Green School Award from the Government of India.
Several schools also earned state and district-level honors, with two schools nominated for national recognition.
To further support the mission, Higher Education Minister Shri Deepak Joshi inaugurated child-friendly education and sanitation facilities, reinforcing the vision of healthier learning spaces.